OSCAR PISTORIUS TRIAL

Reeva

Reeva Steenkamp found fame as a model and celebrity in South Africa, but it was her tragic death that catapulted her to world attention.

Steenkamp was 29 years old when she died in the early hours of February 14 2013 in the home of her boyfriend, Olympic and Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius.

Pistorius was taken into police custody and formally charged with Steenkamp’s murder.

While Pistorius claims the shooting was a case of mistaken identity, the state argues that it was murder.

Pistorius admits shooting Steenkamp three times through a toilet door at his home in Pretoria, but insists he mistook her for a burglar.

Pistorius is also facing other charges relating to firearms.

Steenkamp, a law graduate, enjoyed a successful modelling career and had only been a dating Pistorius a few months before her death.

More than 100 people attended her funeral service five days after the shooting.

On 14 February this year, Pistorius reflected on the one-year anniversary of the event that ended Steenkamp’s life and changed his forever.

Tweeting a link to his website, a statement posted there reads: “No words can adequately capture my feelings about the devastating accident that has caused such heartache for everyone who truly loved – and continues to love Reeva.

“The pain and sadness – especially for Reeva’s parents, family and friends consumes me with sorrow. The loss of Reeva and the complete trauma of that day, I will carry with me for the rest of my life – Oscar.”

Steenkamp’s parents Barry and June are now running a pub outside Port Elizabeth and have been avoiding the media spotlight. The couple were not in court for Pistorius’s previous appearances, but it has been reported that June confirmed she would be there for the trial.

Meanwhile, Pistorius known by the moniker ‘Blade Runner’ because of his prosthetic legs, has for the last year been keeping a low profile since being freed on bail last year.

Pistorius goes on trial on Monday 3 March and Judge President Dunstan Mlambo has allowed Multichoice and Primedia to broadcast the entire trial on radio, as well as video of certain portions.